ANAHEIM – Team Honda HRC’s Jett Lawrence became the first athlete to win his first 450SX Class main event with a decisive victory at the opening round of the 17-round 2024 Monster Energy Supercross season Saturday, Jan. 6, in Anaheim. In the opening round of the Western Regional 250SX Class it was R.J. Hampshire who racked up first place points and the early-season lead. Three local riders also qualified for the 250sx main event as well with 6th place finisher #929 Julien Beaumer, Murrieta, 13th place #85 Hunter Yoder, Menifee and 18th place went to #35 Talon Hawkins of Temecula. Lake Elsinore’s Derek Drake finished 15th in the 450sx main event.
As for podium placers, Monster Energy Kawasaki’s Jason Anderson earned second place in front of a packed Angel Stadium. Red Bull KTM’s Chase Sexton earned the final podium spot in the first race of the year that marks the 50th anniversary season of AMA Supercross. Each Supercross race also pays points toward the 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship. In the Western Regional 250SX Class, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s RJ Hampshire earned the first win of that 10-round championship.
“It’s an unreal thing to kinda grasp. Really because you just think with how many years this sport’s been around, you’d have thought someone has done it before. But it’s cool that it took that many years for someone to do it. I’m definitely grateful and I’m happy to do it for Honda and Red Bull. They’ve been behind me for a very long time now so it’s good to give back in that type of way and get up in the history books for them.” – Jett Lawrence, when asked about the significance of being the first rider to win his first 450SX race.
In the opening round of the Western Regional 250SX Class, Monster Energy Yamaha Star Racing’s Jordon Smith battled up to second place. Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki’s Levi Kitchen brought home the third-place spot for his new team for 2024.
Round two takes the action to Oracle Park in San Francisco on January 13th. The racing starts earlier this year and the Opening Ceremonies kick-off round two at 8:00 p.m. EST. Every round of the 17-round Monster Energy Supercross season also serves as the first 17 rounds of the 31-round SuperMotocross World Championship. After its launch in 2023, the SuperMotocross League combines the excitement of the 17-round Monster Energy AMA Supercross season, the 11-round AMA Pro Motocross season, two Playoff Rounds, and one Final to crown an overall winner in both the 450SMX and 250SMX Classes.
All 31 SuperMotocross World Championship rounds will be streamed live on PeacockTV, with select rounds also broadcast or streamed domestically on NBC, USA Network, CNBC, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app. CNBC will air next-day encore presentations of all 31 rounds of 2024 racing. For international coverage, the racing is available through the SuperMotocross Video Pass (supermotocross.tv) live and on-demand, in both English and Spanish.
Tickets are on sale now for all sixteen remaining Monster Energy Supercross events. For tickets, race results, video highlights, feature stories, and airtimes on Peacock, NBC, USA Network, and CNBC please go to SupercrossLIVE.com. Article contributions made by roadracingworld.com.
JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com.
